Meet this angry young man from Mysore who prefers to be a villain than a hero in Sandalwood.
He is Adi Lokesh, the son of late character artiste Mysore Lokesh. His sister is Pavithra Lokesh who earned name and fame from the film `Naayi Neralu’ that was directed by Girish Kasaravalli and produced by Rajyotsava awardee Basantkumar Patil.
Adi Lokesh became famous by overnight with his performance in the film `Jogi’, directed by Prem. He acted as a schemer Bidda in that film. His dialogue delivery and body language were apt to that role.
Perhaps, impressed by his performance, director Sharan made him hero in the film `Poojari’. Its producer has spent a lot of money on it and even took Adi Lokesh to Bangkok for song picturisation. However, the film bombed at the box office. “I do not want to remember my maiden film as hero.
Director Sharan did not encourage me. He even did not allow me to dub my voice. Perhaps, he thought that I do not know how to speak Kannada fluently. He has forgotten that I am from Mysore,” says Lokesh.
Lokesh was not seen in any films for about 12 months after the release of `Poojari’.
Many thought that he was not interested to play character roles. It was said that many producers and directors tried for Lokesh’s call sheet but in vain. ``I was confined to my residence for nine months. I was not able to come to terms with the disaster of `Poojari’. However, my friends and wellwishers have advised me to take it as a challenge and continue to act in films,’’ explains Lokesh.
He got the chance to act as a hero in `Gang Leader’ and `Bidda’. It was said that talkie portion of these films has been completed and post-production work is under progress.
If everything as per plan, these films are set to hit the silver screen shortly. ``I am very happy to know that `Bidda’ is set to get Censor certificate this month. My other film `Gang Leader’, that was delayed to due to financial crisis, is also set to be released shortly,’’ says Lokesh.
Does he like to act villain or hero roles? ``I prefer to play villain role because I can get too many offers and more money. If I accept a hero role, it not only takes too much time to complete that film but also I am not sure whether the producer can release that film or not due to financial problems. If I accept a villain role, it needs only 15 to 20 days but the hero role facilitates me only to act in one or two films a year. Which is the better option? I think you will agree with me,’’ narrates Lokesh.
Why he hasn’t acted in `Navagraha’ in which sons of villain character artistes acted recently? ``They approached me to act in that film. I declined their offer since it hasn’t suited me financially,’’ says Lokesh adding that he had high hopes on the forthcoming film `Raj’ in which Puneeth Rajkumar is the hero while Prem handled the megaphone.